A landmark federal agency created to revolutionize American education has faced growing scrutiny over its effectiveness, as decades of spending—amounting to trillions in taxpayer funds—have yielded mixed results in core academic performance. New data reveals stagnant or declining test scores in key subjects, raising questions about whether the Department of Education’s long-standing policies have delivered on their original promise. Critics and analysts are now examining whether structural reforms or shifts in funding priorities could better address persistent gaps in student achievement. The debate comes as lawmakers and educators weigh the legacy of the agency’s nearly half-century of influence.
The Department of Education was established in 1980 with the promise of improving education outcomes for America’s students. $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars later, national test scores in reading, ...
